In the Line of Duty IV is now available from 88 Films outside of their In the Line of Duty I – IV box set.
The Film
Donnie Yen. You cannot understate how much Yen brings to any project he stars in. If we were talking the best of the best in this Box Set, you’ve found it.
In the Line of Duty IV reteams Tiger Cage II team of director Yuen Woo-ping and Star Donnie Yen. Much like their collaboration on that other sequel, this film crackles with crisp hard-hitting action, great performances, and a heightened stylistic stunt work that’s unmatched. It isn’t just Yen that elevates this film. Cynthia Khan and Michael Wong both do elevated work here as well as working with Woo-ping’s stunt team on some truly next-level action scenes.
Though the action scenes are matched by the script by Anthony Wong (no relation to Michael or the actor Anthony Wong), Cheung Chi-sing, and Kim Yip. The story of an Immigrant Seattle dock worker Luk Wan-ting (Yuen Yat-chor) accidentally getting involved with a drug bust gone bad. Forced to flee from Seattle back to Hong Kong as the cops Captain Yan (Donnie Yen), Captain Wong (Michael Wong), and Madam Rachel Yeung (Cynthia Khan) only see him as a chess piece on a bigger board. As they begin to realize Wan-ting is nothing more than an innocent bystander they begin a dangerous game with the HK Drug Dealers trying to get back evidence that could incriminate the highest corridors of power in the United States.
The film’s main attraction is the action set pieces done with the level of artistic perfection that one comes to know from Master Woo-ping. Here from a wild Ambulance Chase (courtesy of lunatic genius car stuntman Blackie Ko and Woo-ping stunt team) to other rooftop chase scenes to the finale that’s set in about every conceivable location imagined in, around, atop a building. There are so many breathless paced amazing feats of daring one will overlook even the slight fumble in logic. In the Line of Duty IV is a masterwork of action filmmaking in an era where master work action filmmaking was almost a usual consistent occurrence with the likes of John Woo, Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Ringo Lam, and Tsui Hark all working at an elite level. Even when that’s taken into account, In the Line of Duty IV is special.
The Transfer
The transfers for all four films are spectacular. The work done here is simply jaw-dropping. Researching the prior DVD editions of the titles leaves no comparison. The work here is literally night and day. The films look sharp without the expense of the grain structure, allowing it to retain the look of a 35mm print. The color reproduction is as close as one can get to the high dynamic range of a 4K without being 4K. 88 Films has gone above and beyond the line of duty to bring us these gorgeous transfers.
Note: yes, the pun was definitely 1000% intended.
The Extras
They include the following;
- Hong Kong cut
- Export Version of the film featuring the Classic English Dub
- Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto (HK Cut)
- Archive Interview with Donnie Yen
- Hong Kong Trailer
- English Trailer
The final Audio Commentary Frank Djeng is joined by Michael Worth again on the track to discuss the HK Cut of the film opening with the alternate titles. Some of the other details include the discussion of Yuen Woo-ping directing this entry; the various screenwriters that worked on the film; the releases and the box office success of the film; a larger discussion of the various locations – Seattle, Vancouver, HK and more; the difference between the extended version of the film; the influence of Western Pop culture in this film and other films – and a larger discussion how that has changed to Korean and Japanese Pop culture; the emergence of MMA in this film – and a larger discussion of MMA and how it came fully into HK Action films after this film; a larger discussion about “voice actors” and how many of the more famous ones dubbed specific actors; a larger discussion about the action scenes and how Woo-ping and his stunt crew along with Donnie Yen changed the in the series; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more.
The film is so good they have a second commentary track on it! The very last Audio Commentary track is an archival one with critic Stefan Hammond and actor Michael Wong beginning with introductions and Wong’s admission about having not seen this film in decades. Some of the details also include how he got involved with Sammo Hung’s film company D & B Films; working with Donnie Yen; working with Cynthia Khan; the ‘80s style, production design, and costumes throughout the film; a detailed account of the In the Line of Duty series; a larger discussion about the action and his involvement with it; and more. Hammond and Wong have a relaxed commentary track that’s informative and entertaining.
Archive Interview with Donnie Yen (20:29) – the archival interview with the star begins with a discussion of why HK Action Films are so “dangerous”. Some of the other details include a discussion of some of the realities of making an action film in HK; a discussion of the history of Martial Arts films; details about the stunt work done on In the Line of Duty IV – how it was some of the most dangerous looking stunts accomplished; and much more.
Hong Kong Trailer (4:26) – in Cantonese with English Subtitles
English Trailer (5:30) – there are about 60 seconds of production logos, then another 60 seconds of recap before the trailer starts proper which accounts for the epic trailer run time.
The Final Thought
88 Film has outdone themselves with the In the Line of Duty IV single-disc release. Highest Possible Recommendations!!!